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What do those little silica packets do?

post #1 of 770
5/27/03 at 8:56am
Thread Starter 
You know the ones... they usually come in a box of new shoes or usually something with leather and they say "DO NOT EAT" on them. What is their purpose? Do they keep things fresh? Do they absorb odors?
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post #2 of 770
5/27/03 at 8:58am
They absorb moisture from the air
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post #3 of 770
5/27/03 at 8:58am
Actually if I remember correctly, their purpose is to absorb moisture. I could be wrong...
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post #4 of 770
5/27/03 at 9:09am
I think they absorb moisture.
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post #5 of 770
5/27/03 at 9:11am
That's exactly what they do, absorb moisture.
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post #6 of 770
5/27/03 at 9:13am
And salsa.

Evan
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post #7 of 770
5/27/03 at 9:27am
But mostly moisture.

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post #8 of 770
5/27/03 at 9:27am
I wonder if they absorb moisture?

We bought a bunch of equipment at work that came with rather large silica packets - they were several inches across. I immediately pulled one out and said, "Sweet! They included candy with our order!" I then opened a package, poured some into my hand and motioned as if I was going to put them in my mouth. The reaction from my coworkers was hilarious - cries of "No wait!", "Don't eat that!", "It's not candy!!" ... Totally made my day.

The worst part about those little packets is the warning on the front. You just know somebody opened up a new hard drive and stupidly thought they sent him some complimentary candy.
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post #9 of 770
5/27/03 at 9:29am
I don't know if anyone mentioned this yet (it's a long thread and I didn't want to read all the posts), but they do absorb moisture. I also heard a rumor that they absorb salsa, but I don't know if that's true.
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post #10 of 770
5/27/03 at 9:33am
I read somewhere just recently that they absorb moisture.
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post #11 of 770
5/27/03 at 9:36am
Anyway, to answer the original question, they absorb moisture.

--
Holadem
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post #12 of 770
5/27/03 at 9:44am
So if your suffering from water retention swallow a half dozen and you'll be fine...
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post #13 of 770
5/27/03 at 9:52am
Man, did this thread ever go OT.

Getting back to the question you asked, Dave, they're for the absorption of moisture. Rumors of salsa absorption are totally unfounded.
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post #14 of 770
5/27/03 at 9:58am
I read that these packets help keep things dry by absorption, but what they actually absorb is anybody's guess.

Any ideas, anybody?
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post #15 of 770
5/27/03 at 10:00am
Where can I get the ones that absorb salsa ? Do they work on margaritas ?
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post #16 of 770
5/27/03 at 11:02am
What a coincidence! I also absorb both moisture and salsa!
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post #17 of 770
5/27/03 at 11:07am
I don't know if this is OT or not, but would any of you know what those packets of silica are for?
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post #18 of 770
5/27/03 at 11:27am
Can anyone tell me where I can get some of those little packets of salsa that they throw in the box with new hard drives?
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post #19 of 770
5/27/03 at 11:38am
I believe those salsa packets get absorbed by the silica packets by the time the box hits the store shelves.

But that's just a rumor - I have no way of knowing for sure.
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post #20 of 770
5/27/03 at 11:52am
They don't absorb salsa, they poison it. Geesh. Some people aren't paying close enough attention.

As for the original question, I think some are labeled that they absorb moisture. Others aren't labeled as such, so perhaps they absorb something else. Try sticking one under your armpit for a day and see how that turns out.
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post #21 of 770
5/27/03 at 12:23pm
I have a question that is off-topic and probably deserves it's own thread, but I'll ask it anyway.

I have small box I'd like to keep moisture out of. Is there anything I could use that would absorb the moisture? I know this is probably a pipe dream, but it would be great if someone made some kind of packet that would do this.
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post #22 of 770
5/27/03 at 1:11pm
Bryan, I think there is a product out there that can do the trick for you, just don't use salsa at the same time. I've heard it can be dangerous...
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post #23 of 770
5/27/03 at 1:12pm
I remember reading a thread about that somewhere on this forum. You might do search for "silica or salsa" and turn up something. Also, never, ever, throw these packets into lakes or waterways.
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post #24 of 770
5/27/03 at 1:30pm
I heard somewhere..(maybe on this forum) that if you have extra runny salsa (IE too much moisture) you can use them to absorb the excess moisture.

Check out www.XtraRunnySalsaNsilica.com (not a real link )for more info
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post #25 of 770
5/27/03 at 1:33pm
I just spilt some moisture on my computer table

any suggestions on what I can use to mop it up ?
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post #26 of 770
5/27/03 at 1:42pm
[Yoda Voice] Absorb moisture, they do. [/Yoda Voice]

They also make for great pie-filling... mmmm.... silica pie...

Moe.
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post #27 of 770
5/27/03 at 1:48pm
Quote:
I just spilt some moisture on my computer table, any suggestions on what I can use to mop it up ?


You have to find salsa packets, order a new hard-drive and there should be some in the box.
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post #28 of 770
5/27/03 at 1:57pm
This is great. As a joke, I threw one of those little packets in my friends swimming pool. Won't he be surprised when he gets home from work and his pool is empty!
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post #29 of 770
5/27/03 at 1:59pm
Bryan, I did that once, you have to use 2 packets. Using one only absorbs half the pool. Better hurry up and get a new hard drive!!
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post #30 of 770
5/27/03 at 2:06pm
Thread Starter 
So, instead of buying a new dehumidifier for my basement... I should have been saving all these little packets? Crap.

Where does the silica put the moisture? Are they some sort of gateway to a moisture-laden other world?
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